Center for Puppetry Arts to Host Jim Henson 80th Birthday Celebration This Fall

A momentous occasion to celebrate Jim Henson's 80th birthday, Center for Puppetry Arts will host a birthday bash on Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m. -5 p.m.!

Festivities will include a special guided tour of the Jim Henson Collection, Henson-focused story time, puppet building, Henson gallery carts with an informal Q&A with Center conservators and will culminate with special film screenings of Jim Henson's The Storyteller and Farscape at 8 p.m. All activities will take place in and around the Jim Henson Collection in the newly expanded Worlds of Puppetry Museum at the Center, which also includes a Global Collection.

Festivities are as follows:

• 11 a.m. Special Guided Tour of the Jim Henson Collection
• 12:30 & 2:30 p.m. Henson-Focused Story Time
• 1-4 p.m. Fantastical Friends Puppet Building in the Center's Atrium
• 2-5 p.m. Henson Gallery Carts and an informal Q&A with the Center's Jim Henson puppet conservators
• 8 p.m. Screening of The Storyteller and Farscape

With the exception of the special guided tour and the film screenings, all activities are FREE with Museum admission.

Continuing its Henson-related programming on Monday, September 26, the Center will host a special Explore Puppetry Series workshop, Costuming: Puppets, Muppets & Mascots, with Bonnie Erickson of the Jim Henson Legacy, Harrison/Erickson, Inc. and Acme Mascots. Erickson was part of the original design team for The Muppet Show and is credited as the designer and builder of Miss Piggy, now a part of the Center's Jim Henson Collection. The workshop, for ages 18 and up, is from 7-9:30 p.m. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Industry and student discounts are available with current student ID.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is lcoated at 1404 Spring Street, NW at 18th, Atlanta, GA 30309. For ticket information, visit www.puppet.org or call 404-873-3391.